About Us

“Uluchay” Social-Economic Innovation Center: is a non-profit and non-governmental organization founded in 1995 and based in Sheki, Azerbaijan.

The mission of organization is to support the socio-economic development of Azerbaijan regions. To achieve the mission of organization, Uluchay is working through two major Units:

Program management & implementation

Uluchay is working with the support of local and international donors and supporting socio-economic development of Azerbaijani regions through the covering wider range of regional issues and target groups, including youth, women, and farmers, small and medium enterprises, IDPs and refugees.

Main Program Areas: Civil Society Development, Economic Development, Youth Empowerment, Social Issues, European Integration, Gender Equality and Public Sector Reform

Programmatic strategy:

The overall strategy of Program Management and Implementation Unit is to develop and realize effective socio-economic development programs in Azerbaijan regions, which will help to create favorable conditions for people living in regions of Azerbaijan.

Uluchay is using Program Management and Performance Evaluation Handbooks which is based on three major elements: Results Framework (RF), Performance Monitoring and Evaluation Plan (PMEP) and the Work-plan. Through this handbook, program management and implementation unit is achieving effective and successfull results for each of implementing program.

Policy Research:

As a policy research center, Uluchay’s work is unique in that we introduce new approaches for social change, including the awareness of economic, social and cultural rights. We work with grass roots constituencies, such as private sector business owners, governmental entities, farm workers, internally displaces persons, to help bridge the connection between policy research, activist networks and social movements.

The overarching strategic objective of Uluchay is to conduct independent public policy research and analyses, compile the information and disseminate priority policy reform reports that will inform and guide regional governments’ legislative agenda for modernization of public policies and enable smooth and effective implementation of policies and programs.

Services

Grant Administration

Program Monitoring and Evaluation

Organizational Development Consultation and Trainings

Civil Society Analysis and Surveys

Business Consulting and Trainings

Donor Relations

Uluchay is strengthened by its broad-base of existing donors. Notables include the European Union, UNDP, National Endowment for Democracy, Think-Tank Fund of Open Society Institute, National Democratic Institute, European Commission, Japanese Embassy in Azerbaijan, USAID, IREX, Counterpart International, U.S. Embassy in Azerbaijan, Action Against Hunger, Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, Visegrad Fund and others.

Networking
Uluchay is a member of the Eastern European and Central Asian Business Incubators and Technology parks network (ECAbit) and National Platform of Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum (EaP CSF). Uluchay’s executive director, Ilyas Safarli, is a member of European 3rd sector leaders Networks (EUCLID) and a national coordinator of the Open Forum for CSO development effectiveness.

Number of implemented projects: 44
Number of staff: 12, including administrative staff of social enterprises

Number of funded community projects: 40
Number of businesses received start-up funding from Uluchay: 32

Who we are

"Uluchay" Social-Economic Innovation Center is a Sheki, Azerbaijan based non-profit and non-governmental oranization. Organization has established in 1995. Uluchay is specializing in public policy, program development and implementation and also providing of different services to local population.